The Housing Act

Originally published January 2005

The Housing Act 2004 received royal assent on 18 November 2004 and its provisions will be brought into force in stages by commencement orders. The Act contains reforms which aim to create a fairer housing market for those who own, rent or let residential property. The reforms will make substantial changes to the way in which residential property is regulated in the private and public sectors.

The Housing Minister, Keith Hill, has said that "better use will be made of the existing housing stock, there will be better protection for vulnerable tenants and new and innovative schemes to deliver quality social housing at an acceptable cost. As well, homebuyers and sellers will be able to look forward to long overdue reforms which will take some of the misery and frustration out of moving home."

A Summary of the Changes

Sellers of properties, or their estate agents, will be required to provide and pay for information concerning the sale of residential property. The information, including a home condition report, will be contained in home information packs. The packs will come into force from January 2007, after a...